The Ohio State Buckeyes look like they're in good shape to retain defensive coordinator Matt Patricia heading into the 2026 season after he instantly transformed the defense into something greater than Jim Knowles ever could.
Still, Patricia is no lock to stay.
Cleveland.com's Stefan Krajisnik believes OSU can't sleep without having one eye open as long as the NFL hiring cycle is still going on, citing Patricia's recent interest from the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month.
"Patricia, a former longtime NFL assistant and head coach, was linked earlier this month to the Cowboys’ search for a defensive coordinator, but there hasn’t been much noise surrounding Patricia since," Krajisnik wrote.
"Patricia’s recruiting activity this week has furthered the notion that he could be in line to sign an extension with the Buckeyes. However, as is the case with the offensive coordinator search, the ongoing NFL cycle could change things at any moment."
ESPN's Tom Luginbill hinted Matt Patricia will stay with Ohio State
ESPN's Tom Luginbill very nonchalantly discussed the 2026 Buckeyes as if Patricia was coming back, particularly in the context of former Florida State Seminoles safety Earl Little Jr.'s fit in Ohio State's defense.
"Caleb Downs thrived in Matt Patricia's defensive scheme and now ranks as one of the top overall 2026 NFL draft prospects. Little, who played a similar rover role at Florida State, arrives with a lot of the same physical attributes. He's a versatile, physical safety who thrives as an enforcer in the box and led Florida State with 76 tackles. He also has enough range and coverage skills to make plays on the ball, picking off a team-high four passes this season. Patricia's disruptive and complex scheme can be demanding, but Little's experience and skill set will help fill the void of Downs' departure," Luginbill wrote.
Patricia has been a Godsend for the Buckeyes on the point-prevention side of the ball, having one bad performance, which unfortunately came in Ohio State's elimination at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Great football situations don't always breed long-term partnerships with coaches and teams, though, because of how much money is thrown around the Power 4 and the NFL these days.
We'll see if Patricia's long-established NFL ties will come calling like the Green Goblin mask this offseason.